News Introduction
The following articles provide the reader with information about issues affecting the city of Dickinson and its residents.  Please click the title of the article to learn if a more in-depth story is available.

2008 City Election

Three people filed petitions for the two city commission seats up for election.  They are: Carson Steiner, Shirley Dukart, and Gene Jackson.  Dennis Johnson is the only name on the ballot for the Commission President seat.

In addition to the elected positions, the City will also have two other issues on its area of the ballot.  First, the City Commission recently passed a resolution placing Ordinance No 1351 on the ballot, which if approved will expand the authority to purchase and construct new projects with the 1/2% City Sales Tax.  At present this tax only authorizes construction and debt service on the West River Community Center.

Secondly, the City will be placing a question on the ballot to determine if the voters support publication of the City Commission meeting minutes in the newspaper.

 

Traffic Light on I-94 Exit 61 Off-Ramp
For many traveling west and leaving Interstate 94 late at night, waiting for the traffic light to change at State Highway 22 has been a frustration.  A solution is on the way.  The North Dakota Department of Transportation controls all of the traffic lights in the vicinity of Interstate 94 and they have agreed to stop the timing link for this light during the night hours starting at 10:00 or 11:00PM through the early morning hours so when the ramp senses a vehicle at the intersection, it will change.  The current wait has been caused by that light being in a loop which only senses vehciles once every two minutes.  Hopefully this change will make traveling easier late at night when traffic on Highway 22 is at a minimum.

Street Banner on Highway 22
For many years the city of Dickinson has maintained standards from which banners can be hung across the street.  During this time, MDU has dedicated employee time to putting banners up and removing them.  The City recently learned from MDU the guide wires for the poles are no longer providing sufficient support for the poles.  The City is investigating the cost of replacing the wooden poles with metal ones, but wants your input.  Please record your opinion below in the "We Want Your Opinion" sidebar as to whether the City should continue to provide the standards to hold up street banners across Highway 22.  If you want to also submit a written comment, please email us under "Questions/Comments."

Online Utility Bill Payment

Due to the anticipation of a new version of the software available in early 2008, the software company informed the City they will not be installing the online billing software until that time frame.  As the City progresses in offering this service, this story will be updated.   A brochure describing the potential services available through this software is attached to this story.  Simply click the title to access the file.

2008 Budget

The Dickinson City Commission approved the 2008 Budget in early October 2007.

Welcome. We Are Building an Inclusive Community
Last year, the city of Dickinson earned the designation from the National League of Cities as one building an inclusive community.  This program recognizes that all communities struggle to achieve inclusiveness and established this program to recognize communities committed to promoting inclusiveness.  Dickinson's Human Relations Commission, which is comprised of volunteers committed to promoting and improving positive human relations in our community is taking the lead on making the Inclusive Communities program a reality in our City.  We have links here to several short PSA's from the National League of Cities aimed at promoting inclusiveness.  We encourage our residents to watch them.

Historic Elks Building Renovation Project

The Historic Elks Building renovation and improvement project is back online.  The construction crew recently lifted new roof beams in place in anticipation of placing a new roof on the building in the near future.  Interior work has included doing general cleanup, putting in floors, and a center beam system through the building.  Recently crews lifted the new roof beams into place.